LITTLE FEAT/Ian Parker - WOLVERHAMPTON CIVIC HALL, 9th July 2008

The rain falls hard on a humdrum town, as a disappointingly small crowdmilled about outside the Civic at opening time. The band had been delayed onthe ferry from Ireland, so Stourbridge -born support act Ian Parker didn'tbegin until just after 8.He treated us to a 40 minute set of modern blues, kind of a blues answer to Jamie Cullum. Highlight was a blistering solo in 'Love is Cold'.

8/10

The ground floor was arranged into cocktail lounge tables like they did lasttime. It certainly helps break the ice with your neighbours, as I met Americans, Scousers, and a guy who was at the Warner Brothers Package Showin '75. The Feat came on at 9:05, and dazzled us with a blistering 2 hour set thatwelded funk, blues, country and rock with a soupcon of jamming.

Barrere and Gradney seem to play better the more ancient they become. I was also one of the youngest members of the audience which is always a nice feeling. Bill Payne's inventive piano zipped us through an early set 'All That You Dream' that was excellent.'Dixie Chicken' was stretched out into an extraordinary jam, where a teaseof 'China Cat Sunflower' got me all excited (to no avail as it morphed into'Get Up Stand Up' instead - four years ago to my great delight, Featperformed 4 Grateful Dead songs).

Sam Clayton showed us his 'Spanish Moon', 'Fat Man in the Bathtub' had usall gyrating feverishly, and they even played 'Willin'. I still strugglewith anybody except Lowell George singing this song, but it was a fairversion. I still don't think much of 'Don't Bogart That Joint', but thecrowd enjoyed it.A superb 'Feats Don't Fail Me Now' encore had us rolling right through thenight back to the metro stop, having seen an excellent performance.

9/10

By Roy Evans

Well I ain’t been in Nottingham to see a gig in many a year – I think the last one was Motorhead @ Rock City at least 3 years ago and this is my only my second visit to this little spot – ok, it’s bigger than the small live room at the said mentioned gig but the acoustics in this room aint very sparkling to say the least – it’s like tuning into a radio station on medium wave – Uh – a bit too mushy for my liking but there ya go.

Up 1st supporting tonight were a bangy, crashy set of glam-sleazers who actually come from Nottingham and go by the name of New Generation Superstars – talk about loads of merchandise for sale – I’ve never seen so much for un-signed support before – well they didn’t have to cart it too far so I guess that’s the reason – lol.

Anyways they appear to be well liked – well it is their home city ain’t it so I guess you can expect no less here. Their singer appears to be on the f*ck*d side in the vocal dept – god damn cold dude – I know how ya feel as I suffered during the week as well, but their Tour Manager/Roadie Geezer helped out and sang lead vocals for one of their rowdier songs tonight. A decent band but would have enjoyed them more if the sound was better, especially with regard to the vocal mix – sack the engineer that’s what I say.

We appeared to be waiting a while overdue for Love/Hate – about 15 mins, but we needn’t have worried because they appeared to give us their full set anyway, regardless of some daft curfew of 10pm set by the venue – now that’s too early if you ask me! First onstage was drummer Joey who ambly took to his kit while we had previously seen Bassist Skid Rose looking over from above at the back watch the bulk of the NGS but come stage-time he was shirtless looking rather not very sober carrying the Love/Hate cross covered in Budweiser cans that he danced with to the intro music, nutting it and causing his forehead to bleed throughout the entire gig – nicely done Skid!

Skid never appeared to miss one low note though leaping around and funking out as though he was Flea from The Red Hot Chilli Peppers, while Jizzy Pearl entered with a mass of applause alongside the hired guitarist going by the name of ----- as Jon E. Love couldn’t make the tour for some reason.

The sound quality had improved too – still a bit mushy though but ¾ decent enough to be considered acceptable – wonder how it sounded onstage? Anyways, Jizzy Pearl is still a diamond showman onstage and what he ain’t got in height, he totally makes up for in vocal range and sheer aggression and power – he’s as in-your-face and as confident as when I saw him in the live room of Rock City when he supported Gilby Clarke a few years since – this guy never loses it no matter what venue he is performing in.

Songwise we are pleasured with a variety of favourites that are most notably from the 1st two albums with highlights of the set being rock dance-floor staples such as ‘Blackout in the Red Room’ (which they actually opened with); ‘Slutsy Tipsy’; ‘Spinning Wheel’; ‘Wasted In America’; ‘Why Do you think they call it dope’ and ‘Let’s Rumble’, not to mention an awesome version of ‘Mary Jane’ with an accompanying sing and screaming along during the high-ended chorus. Beats the hell outta me where Jizzy gets all that energy from as there’s not really a ballad in sight and its full-on octane jet engine wails as soon as he opens his mouth – unbelievable.

New Generation Superstars were also invited up for a song towards the end of the night as well. Jizzy had no idea how it was as gonna go as they hadn't tried it before - but it turned out fine - no doubt making the Nottingham bands night.

We are enjoying the gig so much that their 90 mins (inclusive of the encore) goes so damn quick. No-one appeared to leave disappointed and the band even came out virtually straight away afterwards to meet the fans – now that’s a rare occurrence these days.

Reform again before the decade is out as this gig was well worth seeing.

8/10

By Glenn Milligan

Not seen a Led Zep tribute for quite a few years – the last one I saw weren’t that brilliant – now this was a different story altogether. Letz Zep are a name I’d seen advertised in a well known UK Rock Magazine so a trip to one of my favourite Sheffield Live Music venues had to be made.

After getting into the Boardwalk, I got the impression that this was gonna be something rather big as the place was packed at 9pm – when the band kicked off their set. Now I know it sounds rather corny and unimaginative to say but this really was like watching and experiencing the sounds and spectacle of the real thing on stage – the Robert Plant was a pure lookalike and soundalike even the there’s little wonder that Robert Plant looked on stage and said here saw himself up there. The stage moves and mannerisms of Percy were all there as well – it could have even been the real Bonzo on the drums – if only for the fact that he sadly passed away in 1980. Ok, so the John Paul Jones and Jimmy Page characters were wearing wigs but I’ll let ‘em off for that as everything else was purely intact.

Instead of a usual rock by numbers greatest hits set they played a good variety of album tracks and well-known by the masses songs as well . I’m sure they played ‘Dancing Days’ – think they opening with it – or something you wouldn’t expect to be track number 1. Also played gems like ‘Since I’ve been lovin’ you’; the very impressive ‘No Quarter’ with an organ sound just like the original record itself. As well as and ditties like ‘What is and what should not be;’ the Ocean’ and faves like Kashmir (without some black geezer rapping over it – man, it’s good to hear the proper version); The Song Remains the Same’ and of course ‘Moby Dick’ with the obligatory drum solo in the middle. Oh yeah, ‘Dazed and Confused’ was exceptional too and I’ll let him off for not using the violin bow.

A stand-out part of the set was the acoustic section that included the exceptional ‘That’s the Way’ and I have to say some of the crowd p*ss*d me off for talking through this section – I mean, why can’t they go and talk in another pub that plays pre-recorded stuff or simply no music at all - that’s people for ya – some have simply no respect for artists at times. I can’t stand ignorant punters, to say the least. Funnily enough they soon shut up when ‘A song of hope’ was introduced - this being ‘Stairway to Heaven’ which got many a person sing-a-long as well as ‘Black Dog’ with its crowd interlude as well.

It was nice to see the jam section in ‘Rock n Roll’ as well plus for the encore a song from Coda. All in all, they were best Led Zeppelin tribute I have ever seen, probably the best in a handful of tribute bands around in the UK today.

10/10

By Glenn Milligan

8.5/10

By Glenn Milligan

LOVE/HATE + Kickback + Mudmen -

Sheffield Corporation, Saturday 15th May 2004

I've rarely seen any band, in my 26 years walking the Earth's surface, as the first act to hit the stage in support of LA glam metal legends Love/Hate tonight. Toronto sextet The Mudmen play sleaze fuelled rock n'roll in the Enuff Z'nuff/Bubble/ Samantha 7 vein, but topped by two twin bagpipe-playing fellas who steal the entire show sevenfold. A band in a class of their own - and I mean with the room to themselves - these boys are instantly registered as ones to watch closely, with a signing to TB Records likely to help them on their way.

KickBack - not to be confused with the French metal outfit of matching tag, deliver sadly little more than formulaic trad rock but quite well with it - I'd rather see them turn up on this bill than some bunch of baggy-trousered trendies, anyday.

Over two years since I last saw L/H (with Gilby Clarke, Feb '02, in case you're wondering), it doesn't seem that long but it's been too long. Jizzy and co kick ass right from the very second the first chord is twanged and the small room of seventy-eighty -odd lay straight into it. As expected, about half of the 'Blackout' album is included but other faves such as 'Wasted' and 'Spinning wheel can never be left out of a Love Hate live set. Jizzy even dons a guitar fro a couple of solo numbers, even though the band feels like a solo act to him now as it is, he being the only originals member left. The closing number ,Blackout In The Red Room'… you needn't ask how the crowd reacted to that last slection. THen they are gone after only an hour..

Still one of their finest. Jizzy Pearl's voice still in top shape after all these years. A killer gig - please don't leave it another two years before you're next over, Jiz, you know we can't live without you. !

9/10

By Dave Attrill

It's got to be either a sudden windfall of seismic proportions, or front man Phil Lewis's British Nationality that has brought the glam metal legends back to these isles for the third time in actually less than as many years. Barely ten months in fact since they were last seen rippin' it up down our beloved NMB, Sheffield plays host to these lads again.

On with the openers, British unknowns, Renegade Playboys wet many appetites with a pleasant half-hour of Firehouse-meets-Danger Danger shenanigans that turn quite a few heads. The unusual guitar of the year award goes hands down to one of the fellas in this act - a Les Paul with an up-ward slanted headstock is a rare enough bird, let alone one left-handed.

Some very special guests follow on tonight's bill, fellow Hollywood scene heavyweights 'Pretty Boy Floyd' delivering a set that at 52 minutes lasts longer than their headliner here, a year earlier. Still capable of putting on the show, tonight's proceedings are only ruined, if amusingly so to some, by PA foul-ups at the beginning of opener 'Leather Boys With Electric Toys', meaning the classic clattering drum intro has to be extended to about four minutes while the remaining three musicians struggle to rectify the predicament. Needless to say, Mr Summers was less than amused.

The Guns appear finally, to stiff competition from their Californian counterparts but just about do the job in un-blowing themselves offstage (whatever that means). Back down to a foursome, and still Tracii-less, the band, with Lewis also now donning a rhythm guitar for the first couple of numbers, rumble into action with 'Over The edge' from their classic 'Hollywood Vampires' album and so begins a sizzling seventy-minute collection spanning 1987-present and all that lie along the way.

No set of there is complete without 'Sex Action' , 'Electric Gypsy' and 'Ballad Of Jane' and these, which come as standard with all the other classics, support the newer material very well. Drummer Steve Riley, the only other original member in the ranks gets himself a solo spot this time round, too and fro five minutes, it's a chance to enjoy the one-time WASP sticksman's evident talents.

They dominated the scene in its day and today remain a considerable force on their face of the rock n' roll world - LA Guns keep coming back with a full round of deadly ammunition. Tonight, they hit point blank, once again. It'd be nice to have Tracii Guns back again some day though. Don't you reckon.

9/10

By Dave Attrill

What? More already?! Only two months after Pretty Boy Floyd graced us with a visit to these shores do not only one but two more of the US hair-rock scene's biggest names roll into Steel City. Firstly, it's the turn of Brit support act hindsight to entertain those already in the building by that time, with similar material to that of Floyd openers The Plastics, a fusion of sleaze and pop-oriented material that garners nods of approval from all around.

Enuff Z'nuff are the first of the two heavyweights on tonight's billing. The biggest shock greeting their fans is the absences of frontman Donnie Vie but Chip and the other guitarist split the vocal duties ably between them and the 40-minute set straddles their entire catalogue. It's been two years since I'd last seen them, (Z-Rock and Notting Rock City, May '01) but it doesn't seem that long in weeks, the memories of my last encounters with the Chicago boys still quite fresh in my ears.

LA Guns are loaded from the start. The opening double barrel of 'Over The Edge' and 'Kiss My Love' get everyone up and singing from then very beginning, then coming off their most acclaimed release, '91's 'Hollywood Vampires', it's only to be expected. 'Sex Action' comes surprisingly early in the set but it remains as accurately aired as it did a decade-plus ago. Phil Lewis's voice could be heard all the way to Hull if this venue was open roofed - which he nearly makes it, and the smile he wears endlessly on his face throughout says something about what it means to be playing the UK again - he is British, after all.

The band have become a fivesome again but with Tracii Guns still in the USA working on a different band project altogether the Guitarists are Faster Pussycat's Brent Muscat and that LA Geezer who everyone wants in their outfit, Keri Kelli (Slash's Snakepit, Love/Hate, Pretty Boy Floyd.. the list goes on…) on the boards, and it all goes, along with the performance of the other players in the team, into keeping songs like 'Hellraiser's Ball', 'Gypsy', 'Ballad Of Jayne' and 'Rip n' Tear' in full calibre. Playing for a paltry hour, they manage to cram in all the nuggets but I felt there was way too little from the 'Vampires' album on tonight's list. That one moan over with, it was an evening to remember for Sheffield's cock rock lovin' population, and I'm sure that the measly 200-odd crowd were only a fraction of it who had the common decency to attend.

8/10

By Dave Attrill

L.A. Guns/Steevi Jaimz-

Nottingham Rock City, 22nd September 2001

The half American, half British Sleazy Goth-Rockers haven't played over here in years - so imagine my glee when the LA Guns announce a handful of UK dates with Faster Pussycat (who sadly pulled out!!! due to the bad state of affairs regarding aeroplanes - need I go on !!! ).

Firstly (in support), we were entertained by the original squawker of Tigertailz - Steevi Jaimz (who now looks more like Iggy Pop dressed up as a clown in Billy Smarts Circus (no honestly!!). Anyway, he fired some classic glam at us from the fist 'tailz album 'Young and Crazy' like 'Star Attraction' plus cuts from his new album 'Damned if you do, damned if you don't'. Steevi paraded around the stage like he was in his own front room - oozing pure confidence throughout his 35 mins'ish set.

The man even greeted us with his wrinkle-free hairy arse!!! Such a
Gentleman - there's no doubt about it !!

7/10

Then came the real Pro's - not that I'm dissing Steevi or anything but the LA Guns were made for the stage. They were in great mood backstage and on-stage they matched up just as good. By throwing in faves like 'Sex Action' early into the set more than guaranteed them hitting it off with the packed glammmy audience from the start. Also present were plenty of newies from the 'Man in the Moon' album (which I incidentally gave 10/10). These included the title track itself, 'The Dealer' and the Beatley - almost Oasisy gorgeous ballad 'Beautiful' which Phil loves singing dearly (as he informed me in the interview I did with him - check the interviews section for that).

Good humour was well up-front especially from Tracii Guns (Lead Guitarist), who was forever teasing the crowd with classic G'N'R riffs like 'Sweet Child O' Mine' and 'Paradise City' - he literally had us in stitches.

The six-foot plus black-cladded front-man, Phil Lewis still reaches those high notes in classic Guns songs like 'Crystal Eyes' and 'Bloody Jayne' as he refers to it (Ballad of Jayne). He was also as gutsy as hell on during the rockers, 'Electric Gypsy' and 'Never Enough' - Brilliant!!!

The new addition to the band, ex-Burning Tree member, Muddy (Bassist) with his bushy curly locks fits in like he's been there from the start and even performs a knockout version of David Bowie's 'Ziggy Stardust' which the crowd had to vote for - you ought to have heard the response to a Neil Young number - good job the Canadian himself wasn't present. Muddy's bit gave Phil the chance to cool down and "do a mound of cocaine" he informed us - I'm sure he was joking.

Drummer, Steve Riley (ex-WASP) bashed out his kit like the demon child of Keith Moon for his energy was phenomenal throughout the entire show.

The best on-stage quote came from Phil, who sniped,

"We arrived here on Friday and I checked out 'Top of the Pops' to see what I wasn't missing"

Funnily enough, he missed nothing!!!

This night at Rock City was Rock 'n' Roll at its rawest and best - no tacky effects, smoke bombs and fandangled props just great music played by a great band. LA Guns even hung around after the show signing autographs.

It's nice when artists go out of their way to do a meet 'n'greet for the fans - and a friendly bunch the LA Guns are at that.

10/10

By Glenn Milligan, BA Hons CS

It's always an important gig for any band - the album launch - and for liquid angel - this was the night. The 'angel featuring Jaemi - Lead Vocals/Guitar, Rob - Drums and Mark - Bass took the stage after a splattering of Cradle of Filth (from the P.A.) - much to the delight of many of the kids present.

Kicking out full-on 'No-Bull-Sh**' renditions from their 'Small Perversions' album - Jaemi's crew proved just how well they could deliver the goods live. I've seen many bands live in concert (major names including The Who, Def Leppard, Megadeth etc. etc.) and have to say that in their own way they come across with a similar sort of presence. Jaemi alone has those certain something's that can only be described as rock star qualities - imagine an industrial/black metal equivalent of Lenny Kravitz (when he had dreads) - that's Jaemi!!! He looks and acts the part when he performs and is backed up extremely well by Rob and Mark. Rob is a real powerhouse behind that kit while Mark throbs out some top-notch bass work - and then there's his adventurous red make-up to stand in awe at. Never have I witnessed such a solid strong live unit at such a young age.

We were treat with cooking versions of tracks like 'Tragic', 'Horny Bitch Monster', 'Virgin' and 'My Perversion' as well as many, many more from the 'Small Perversions' album. The sound quality was excellent - in a venue that at times can be rather echoey. The entire set was well received by the audience present - and yes - a number of CD's were sold that night!!

A Barn-Storming Gig. I can't see 'em just playing small local pub and club venues for long - they are worthy of better.

9/10

By Glenn Milligan, BA Hons CS

Love/Hate featuring Jizzy Pearl -

Nottingham Rock City, 6th April 2002

Nottingham was the final night of the short UK Tour - where frontman, Jizzy Pearl (who is the only original member left) supported ex-Gunner, Gilby Clarke with a backing band that included Keri Kelli (last seen on this stage with Pretty Boy Floyd), bassist, Robbie Crane (who seems to have a problem having his picture taken - after throwing his mike at our photographer, brother Paul) and drummer of 2 years, Dave.

King Jizzo has lost none of his vocal chords since he last graced Great Britain in the early 90's - it's as strong as hell and leaves you amazed at it's immense power. He commands with every wail, squawk and scream and mixes in new material with faves like 'Spinning Wheel' that was aired early on in the set and other classic cuts including 'Blackout in the Red Room'; 'Wasted in America' and which Jizzy said was dedicated to... no we never did find out - as he said 'F*ck it' and got on with the song - he'd either got sick of the dedication bit or was running out of time - knockout version as well - engulfing the crowd into a perfective sing-a-long routine.

'Why do you think they call it dope?' is the number that proved to be the ultimate excitement ditty - more singalongs ensued - in fact Jizzy let Nottingham take over on a lot of the lyrics - they sounded in good form as well. The chorus section wasn't fast enough though and the bass line lacked atmosphere and presence - slightly disappointing - although newness does eventually grow on you.

This was one of the best support slots witnessed at this venue - it was a constantly exciting performance all the way to the it's finish. A record deal is looming and yet another new book, 'Angst for the memories', - the follow-up to 'More Crickets than Friends'.

9/10

By Glenn Milligan, BA Hons CS